A Peek Inside Saint James School
by: Felicia Arnold, 4th grade teacher
Fourth-grade math students and teachers made Christmas chains using measurement conversions . Each student made a 1 ft section of chain and multiplied to find the total length in feet and inches. 49 x 1' = 49' and 49 x 12'= 588" We then decorated our pod using the green and red chain to add a little holiday cheer to our space. We had a blast using a newly learned math skill. #WeAreSaintJamesSchool
The Holiday Stars, Saint James School’s elementary choir singers, made a special visit earlier this month. Students traveled to Oak Grove Inn, an assisted living and retirement community in Montgomery. Residents enjoyed performances of upbeat holiday favorites like “Feliz Navidad,” and “Step Into Christmas,” as well as traditional songs like “Silent Night.” The Holiday Stars have performed at school events like Holiday Convocation and the Winter Choral Concert, but the visit to Oak Grove was the group’s first off-campus performance. Mr Will Reese, our elementary music director, is proud of the students not only for their beautiful singing, but also for their giving hearts and excitement to share their talents and spread joy to the Oak Grove residents.
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Miles and Nolan Bleiberg shared the story of Hanukkah with the student body.
Dr. Larry McLemore with Santa and his elves.
by: Kendal Wright, Student Ambassador
Every year before winter break Saint James comes together to celebrate the upcoming festivities through our Holiday Convocation. For the high school and middle school students, this time is meant to ease stress before exams and allow us to spend time with our peers one last time before testing and break. For the elementary, convocation allows these students to spend time with the older grades and experience and participate in our school’s traditions. Everyone comes dressed in their best holiday attire, filling the gym with Christmas sweaters and Santa hats. This year, Dr. McLemore kicked off the assembly with a speech and wished everyone good luck on their exams.
Then, Mr. Clinton came to the podium dressed as the Pink Nightmare from the movie The Christmas Story. His appearances included iconic scenes from the movie such as the leg lamp and a message from Little Orphan Annie. He introduced the school choir that provided the music while elementary students performed a dance. After, high school choir students led everyone in singing songs like Jingle Bells, We Wish You A Merry Christmas, and Oh Christmas Tree. Then, students from the elementary, middle, and high schools gave speeches about the meaning of Christmas and Hanukkah and how these important holidays have impacted them. They told the story of Christmas and talked about their favorite memories and traditions. The story of Hanukkah was told by two middle school students who shared their traditions by passing out bags of chocolate coins. After hearing about the meaning of these holidays, Saint James received a surprise visit from Santa. He brought his elves to help pass out candy to all the students. Holiday Convocation ended with each grade singing part of the song The Twelve Days of Christmas, based on grade. This is likely most of the students' favorite holiday tradition because it allows each grade to participate and get into the holiday spirit. Convocation is a time that all students will remember as they grow up and continue their lives outside of Saint James. It’s a time that not only lets us forget about classwork for a little while but also brings us together as a school. It encourages camaraderie between the students and faculty that defines the environment at Saint James. We are creating traditions and friendships that will last a lifetime through an experience unique to our school. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!
Students at the 2021 STJ Holiday Convocation. #WeAreSaintJamesSchool
Mrs. Cappilouto with her grandson, Charlie Sommer
by: Michelle Roark, first grade teacher
Corrine Cappilouto, past faculty member and Saint James School Grandparent Club officer, shared the story of Hanukkah with 1st grade students this week. She brought menorahs from home and explained their significance. She taught us how to play dreidel, and even brought each student little dreidels with a copy of the rules so they can teach their families and play at home. She also showed us how to make a edible dreidel using marshmallows, pretzels, and chocolate kisses. Our students had a great time learning the story of Hanukkah and playing (and eating!) their dreidels. #WeAreSaintJamesSchool
First graders enjoyed making and eating their dreidels!
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Saint James School recently completed our annual community service project for the patients at the UAB Bone Marrow Transplant Unit. Due to the amount of time the bone marrow recipients spend in the hospital, the medical and household bills they have to pay, and the sheer exhaustion from their treatments, many of the families cannot provide a cheerful holiday for their children and families.
Since 2001, Saint James students have helped make the Christmas season for the UAB Bone Marrow Transplant Unit patients and their families a little brighter. This year, the entire school joined together to provide Christmas presents to patients in the unit, whose families are often so physically and financially strained during their treatment that Christmas gifting becomes difficult.
Fifth grade students traveled to The Shoppes at Eastchase to shop in-person for gifts using funds donated by the class. Students enjoyed browsing the aisles and thoughtfully choosing items to purchase for the BMT families. Raising the money was one arm of this initiative, but the shopping experience provided another dimension to their giving. Community service and engagement is one of our school’s most cherished core values. We strive to reflect on the blessings we have and do our part to give back. Saint James School is proud to partner with the UAB Bone Marrow Transplant Unit for the 20th year in a row.
“Witnessing my daughter and her classmates shop intentionally for these families really warmed by heart.”
After reading the classic folktale, The Gingerbread Man, first grade students were challenged to build a trap to catch him. They eagerly accepted! First, they brainstormed ways they could trap to catch the Gingerbread man. They then planned and built their designs using a variety of manipulative materials from around the classroom.
Hands-on STEAM activities like this make learning fun and exciting.
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by: Selina Sun, junior
STJ now has its own a cappella group: Fortissimo! What started as just a fun idea for an extracurricular activity has become a special opportunity for those who love to sing to come together and perform beloved songs with the beautiful harmony of just their voices, no instruments. Right now, a number of students and I are rehearsing “Mary, Did You Know” by Pentatonix, an a cappella classic that tugs at the heartstrings of Christmas spirit believers. Every Monday afternoon, we head up the stairs to the choir loft and annoy each other with our aca-jokes (“Don’t we just sound aca-awesome? Aca-scuse me??” are classics) and warm up our voices. When we first started the song, we realized that we had to become our own backup singers and make some interesting sounds; there are “ooo”s, “hoo”s, “dum”s, and “ah”s all over the sheet music. Tenors/baritones/basses have to deal with some high notes, altos have some difficult low notes to master, and sopranos have their own challenges to overcome. When we begin to sing; however, it all becomes okay, and it is simply magical to hear our voices blend the way they do. I get goosebumps after almost every run-through. “Mary, Did You Know” is the perfect song to showcase our talents: everyone gets the chance at the melody, and each section supports one another in every measure of the music to create this a cappella Christmas classic. As Dr. York guides us with her expert ear and musical gifts, we work out our challenges and enjoy each run-through as an opportunity to make our voices sound better together. By the time of the winter choral concert in December, our hard work and passion for music will have made something truly wonderful. I can’t wait for our a cappella debut in December; it will be the beginning of something that will surely last a long time. I cherish those Monday afternoons in Dr. York’s room where our amazing group gets to do what we love most: sing our hearts out—this time, without accompaniment.
Second graders in Coach Straughn’s elementary P.E. class worked together to build turkeys out of exercise equipment. Each team raced from one end of the gym to the other with hula hoops, jump ropes, balls, and other items to build their birds. Gobble gobble! #WeAreSaintJamesSchool
We have Thanksgiving on the brain in elementary school at STJ! Students in lower elementary, grades PreK3-2nd grade, have been working on crafts and art projects for the Thanksgiving season. Students built turkeys out of construction paper, which reinforces fine motor skills, following multi-step directions, and identifying colors, numbers, and shapes. We have so much to be Thankful for and this holiday reminds us of the blessings in our lives.
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Seniors went on a Thanksgiving letter scavenger hunt with their Kindergarten buddies last week. They followed clues to lead them to letters placed all around campus. Working together and problem solving, he teams eventually were able to spell “give thanks.”
We certainly are thankful for the special friendships our Kindergartners and seniors have!
#WeAreSaintJamesSchool